The Shrine's Final Jewel

By Jose Carnevali HERALD Staff Writer

9/19/16

WASHINGTON, D.C.  The last jewel has arrived at the
Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception
in Washington. And what a jewel: a 780-square foot, 38-ton
relief carved in Botticino Classico marble quarried
from the mountains in Brescia, northern Italy. Designed by
local artist George Carr of Silver Spring, Md., "The
Universal Call to Holiness" theme is taken from the Lumen
Gentium document of Vatican II and was chosen by Cardinal
James Hickey, who as archbishop of Washington serves as
chairman of the basilica's Board of Trustees. Joseph and
Bertha Braddock of Alexandria funded the $1 million, 7-year
long project. Through their charitable organization, The
Aztec Foundation, the philanthropists, along with their sons,
provided the means to make a work of art out of 16 pieces of
approximately 200 million-year-old marble. In a news
conference on Monday, Joseph Braddock acknowledged the
efforts and hard work of the many people that have
contributed to the quarrying, carving and installation of the
50 foot-long relief. Shrine spokesman Peter Sonski said, "to
the best of our knowledge this is the largest relief of its
kind in the world. "Dr. and Mrs. Braddock have been involved
in every decision, every detail of this project. Their
generosity is magnanimous and their humility is truly
edifying. This has been for both of them the proverbial
'labor of love.' "Without their dedication and participation,
this magnificent carving would never have become what it has:
an inspiring work that speaks the truth of God's infinite
love for mankind." In the sculpture, light rays originate
from a dove that represents the Holy Spirit. Six groups of
people from different cultural and ethnic backgrounds are
moving toward the central figure of the dove, as they are all
called to holiness. "I hope that the simple message of the
sculpture, that people can achieve holiness through the
conduct of their lives, can be grasped, intuitively, by
almost anyone," said George Carr. "I am honored to have
played a part in this important project, and I greatly
appreciate the inspiration, skill and talent of the many
others who helped bring it to fruition." The 16 pieces of the
relief were carved by a team of 22 artisans at Cervetti
Franco & C. snc, a marble carving studio in Pietrasanta,
Italy, under the direction of Franco Cervetti. The pieces
were then shipped to Norfolk, and from there to Washington.
Once in Washington, the 16 pieces were the responsibility of
Rugo & Carosi, natural stone and mosaic contractors who
specialize in this type of work. The furnishing and
installation of "The Universal call to Holiness" was handled
entirely by the firm. In addition, Rugo & Carosi is
completing the installation of the surrounding marble
cladding, arches, structural steel support systems and
masonry which cover the existing brick. "The Basilica is
America's patronal church and perhaps the most popular place
of pilgrimage within the United States," said Sonski. "To
have this grand image means that it will be an inspiration
for many thousands of pilgrims and visitors, silently
conveying the eternal truth that each of them was made in the
image and likeness of God and destined to be with Him forever
in heaven." On Monday, the last piece of the magnificent
relief was put in place by a team of workers from Rugo &
Carosi in a ceremony described by Sonki as "entirely
fitting." "The installation of the centerpiece  the
Holy Spirit  was entirely fitting, because it truly is
the piece that gives the other pieces meaning," he said. "God
sent His Spirit to inspire and lead us to our loving Father.
Placing that piece today changed the relief from a simple but
beautiful sculpture to something sacred  something that
communicates through grace." The Basilica of the National
Shrine of the Immaculate Conception is the largest Catholic
Church in the Americas and the patronal church of United
States Catholics. The Basilica houses an extensive collection
of sacred art and 750,000 visitors come to pray there each
year. "The Shrine is preeminently a place of pilgrimage and
prayer, annually welcoming more than half a million visitors
from across the country and the world," said Msgr. Michael J.
Bransfield, rector of the Basilica. "The pursuit of holiness,
a fundamental theme of the Gospels and Second Vatican
Council, remains our lifelong objective  and it has
been aptly interpreted in this wonderful work of art," he
said. "It was over five years ago that Cardinal James Hickey
first discussed with me his hopes for completing the imposing
rear wall of the Nave of the Great Upper Church. It was the
only wall that had yet to be clad in marble as the others
were throughout the Shrine."